Automatic configuration of a computer system based on process modeling of an implemented process

ABSTRACT

A configuration architecture automatically links the output of a business process modeler to a business system configuration tool. The output of the business process modeler is translated into a representation of a source business process that is used by the business system configuration tool to automatically generate configuration templates. A user can provide configuration information through the configuration templates. The configuration inputs are applied to an implementation of a business system to obtain a configured, working business system instance with the same functionality as the source business process.

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/840,247, filed Jun. 27, 2013,the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Computer systems are currently in wide use. In order to implement aninstance of a computer system, the computer system is often modeledfirst and then configured.

By way of example, some computer systems include business systems, suchas enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer resourcemanagement (CRM) systems, line-of-business (LOB) systems, etc. In orderto implement an instance of a business system, the business system isfirst often modeled by one or more analysts. The system is then oftenconfigured by one or more consultants. The analysts and consultants areoften on two separate teams and information is often lost when theprocess moves from the analysis (or modeling) part of the process to theconfiguration (or implementation) part of the process. Also, this typeof process has conventionally been almost entirely manual.

More specifically, the team of analysts often analyzes and models thebusiness system before any configuration is done. The configurationconsultant team then obtains information that represents the analysisand modeling, and configures a system based on that information.However, it is common for at least some of the modeling informationgenerated by the team of analysts to be lost (or otherwise not carriedforward) when the information is transferred for configuration.

Therefore, once the team of consultants configures the business system,it often does not entirely match the model that the analysts hadcreated. This results in a relatively large amount of rework that isneeded in order to make the configured system match the modeled system.Thus, because all of this is almost entirely manual, return oninvestment realized for the business system suffers.

The discussion above is merely provided for general backgroundinformation and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining thescope of the claimed subject matter.

SUMMARY

A configuration architecture automatically links the output of abusiness process modeler to a business system configuration tool. Theoutput of the business process modeler is translated into arepresentation of a source business process that is used by the businesssystem configuration tool to automatically generate configurationtemplates. A user can provide configuration information through theconfiguration templates. The configuration inputs are applied to animplementation of a business system to obtain a configured, workingbusiness system instance with the same functionality as the sourcebusiness process.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementationsthat solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one illustrative business system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one illustrative embodiment of aconfiguration architecture.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the operation ofthe configuration architecture shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrative user interface displays.

FIG. 3C shows one illustrative mapping between an output of a businessprocess modeler and a business system configuration tool.

FIG. 3D shows one embodiment of a template and question generationmodel.

FIGS. 3E-3I are illustrative user interface displays.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the configuration architecture shown inFIG. 2 deployed in various other architectures.

FIGS. 5-10 show various embodiments of mobile devices.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of one illustrative computing environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a business system 100.Business system 100 includes processor 102, business data store 104,user interface component 106 and one or more business applications 108.FIG. 1 shows that business system 100 can be accessed by user 110 eitherdirectly (as indicated by arrow 112) or over a network 114.

Business data store 104 illustratively includes a variety of differentbusiness information and business records. For instance, in oneembodiment, business data store 104 includes entities 116, forms 118,workflows/processes 120, and other information 122. Entities 116 areillustratively business records that identify business items. Forexample, a vendor entity identifies and represents a vendor; a productentity identifies and represents a product; a customer entity identifiesand represents a customer; an opportunity entity identifies andrepresents a business opportunity, etc. Business applications 108illustratively run workflows/processes 120 and operate on entities andother business data in business data store 104 to implement an instanceof a business system. By way of example, it can be an instance of an ERPsystem, a CRM system, an LOB system, etc. However, for the sake ofsimplicity, it will be described herein as an instance of an ERP system.Forms 118 illustratively present user interface elements to user 110 sothat the user can access and manipulate business applications 108 andother items in business system 100.

FIG. 1 also shows that business data store 104 is a single data storeand that it is local to business system 100. However, it can be multipledata stores and all can be local to business system 100, or remotetherefrom or some can be local while others can be remote.

The business applications 108 illustratively include components or othertypes of applications that run on business system 100 to performbusiness operations, tasks, activities, workflows, etc. For instance, abusiness application 108 can be a general ledger application, aninventory application, a billing application, among others.

Processor 102 is illustratively a computer processor with associatedmemory and timing circuitry (not separately shown). It is illustrativelya functional part of business system 100 and is activated by, andfacilitates the functionally of, other applications and components orother items of business system 100.

User interface component 106 illustratively generates user interfacedisplays, with corresponding user input mechanisms, for interaction byuser 110. The user input mechanisms can take a wide variety of forms.For instance, they can be dropdown menus, icons, links, check boxes,text boxes, buttons, etc. In addition, the user input mechanisms can beactuated in a wide variety of different ways. Where the display devicehas a touch sensitive screen, the user input mechanism can be actuatedusing touch gestures. In addition, where the device used by user 110 orbusiness system 100 includes a speech recognition system, then the userinput mechanisms can be activated by voice commands. Also, the userinput mechanisms can illustratively be actuated using a point and clickdevice (such as a mouse or track ball), a keyboard, a keypad, a softkeyboard, a stylus, a thumbpad, or other methods.

In one embodiment, user 110 accesses business system 100 in order toperform business tasks, activities or operations or to generallymanipulate business system 100 in order to conduct business. User 110illustratively accesses business system 100 by logging onto it, andproviding authentication information (such as a user name and password).Of course, other ways of accessing business system instance 100 can beused as well.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a configurationarchitecture 130. FIG. 2 shows configuration architecture 130 coupled tobusiness system 100 and user device 132. In general, configurationarchitecture 130 obtains a representation of a source business processfrom business system 100 (such as by having a user record one, asdescribed below, or otherwise) and links it to business systemconfiguration tool 142 to obtain configuration templates that can beused by user 134 to configure a business system with the samefunctionality as the source business process obtained from businesssystem 100.

More specifically, configuration architecture 130 illustrativelyincludes business process recorder 136, business process modeler 138,translator/synchronizer component 140, business system configurationtool 142 (that includes a template and question generation model 144),processor 146 and user interface component 148.

FIG. 2 also shows that user device 132 includes processor 150 and userinterface component 142. User device 132 is shown generating userinterface displays 154 with user input mechanisms 156 for interaction byuser 134. User device 132 is also shown providing an output to animplementation of a business system instance, as indicated by block 158.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the overalloperation of configuration architecture 130 in generating output 158. UIcomponent 148 in configuration architecture 130 (or UI component 152 inuser device 132) illustratively first provides a user interface displayto user 134 so that configuration architecture 130 can access a recordedsource business process that will include both a representation of theprocess, and configuration information related to the process. This isindicated by block 162 in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, user 134 operatesbusiness process recorder 136 to perform a business process withinbusiness system 100 so that business process recorder 136 can record thebusiness process. In such an embodiment, business process recorder 136provides a recorded business process 160 to business process modeler138. Receiving user inputs and recording the source process is indicatedby block 164.

In another embodiment, user 134 (or another user) has already recorded abusiness process and stored it in a place that is accessible by businessprocess modeler 138. In that embodiment, business process modeler 138simply accesses the already-recorded business process 160. Accessing analready-recorded, stored source process is indicated by block 166. Ofcourse, business process modeler 138 can obtain access to a recordedsource business process in other ways as well, and this is indicated byblock 168.

FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of a user interface display 200. Userinterface display 200 illustratively includes a hierarchical processstructure 202 that has a plurality of nodes. The nodes that are indentedwith respect to other nodes are descendants (or child nodes) of theother nodes. Therefore, a node that is outdented with respect to anindented node is an ancestor or parent with respect to the immediatelyfollowing indented nodes. In one embodiment, the processes representedby each node are also color coded to indicate where they fall in thehierarchy. User 134 can simply select one of the business processes byselecting one of the nodes in the hierarchy 202 in FIG. 3A. If analready-existing recording has been made for the corresponding process,that is provided to business process modeler 138 for modeling. If not,then user 134 is walked by business process recorder 136 through aseries of user interface displays that allow user 134 to make arecording of the selected business process.

Once the user has selected the business process to be configured, userinterface component 148 illustratively generates a user interfacedisplay with a user input mechanism that receives a user synchronizationinput to send the selected business process to a configuration tool. Inresponse, user interface component 148 generates a user interfacedisplay such as display 204, shown in FIG. 3B. This includes aconfiguration system selection mechanism 206. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3B, mechanism 206 is a dropdown menu, but it could be othermechanisms as well. The various instances of the configuration tool thatthe user has access to can be displayed in selectable form. Otherinstances can be displayed as well. In any case, user 134 illustrativelyselects a specific service instance of a configuration system that is tobe used in configuring the selected process. Thus, the payload for theselected process will be delivered to the identified service instanceselected by user 134.

In one embodiment, business process recorder 136 generates recordedbusiness process 160 as a zip file which can be uploaded to a serviceinstance of business process modeler 138. The zip file illustrativelyincludes a variety of files (such as XML files) each corresponding tosome activity (and hence each corresponding to a leaf node in thehierarchy 202). The files serve as the recorded business process 160that is provided to business process modeler 138, and theyillustratively include a description of tables that are to be configuredin order to complete the business process implementation for theselected process.

Having received its input, business process modeler 138 generates aprocess diagram (or another representation) for the selected businessprocess. This is indicated by block 170 in the flow diagram of FIG. 3.The business process representation is indicated by block 172 in FIG. 2.Translator/synchronizer 140 then translates representation 172 for inputto business configuration tool 142. The representation of the businessprocess that is provided to business configuration tool 142 is indicatedby block 174 in FIG. 2. Translating the representation 172 into therepresentation 174 is indicated by block 176 in the flow diagram of FIG.3. This can be done, for instance, by providing representation 174 as anXML file (or files) with process information and other configurationinformation. This is indicated by block 178. Of course, representation174 can take other forms as well, and this is indicated by block 179.Receiving the user selection input selecting a configuration toolinstance is indicated by block 180 and sending the translatedrepresentation of the business process to the selected configurationtool instance 142 is indicated by block 181.

Table 1 shows one illustrative embodiment of a sample schema thatembodies a representation 174 that is expected by business systemconfiguration tool 142.

TABLE 1 <Framework>  <Id>rrrr</Id>  <Name>  </Name> <Version>6.2:158</Version> <SyncID>1BC10AFC-AEDA-4B67-8EC6-AC90FEAAA000</SyncID> <LeafID>DCEADEFC-6337-4E8B-86D1-6DCA9E214414</LeafID>  <Level> <Category>aa</Category>  <Name>aaaa</Name>  <Description> </Description>  <OperationsGroup>None</OperationsGroup> <FolderName>aaaa_DCEADEFC-</FolderName> <HasRecording>True</HasRecording>  <ApplicationModule>Purchaseorder</ApplicationModule>  <RecordingInformation>   <Tables>   <Table>   <Name>BrazilParameters</Name>    <TableGroup>Parameter</TableGroup>   <CountryRegionCodes>BR</CountryRegionCodes>    <AOSAuthorization>None</AOS Authorization>    <Label>Brazilianparameters</Label>    <ConfigurationKey>    </ConfigurationKey>   <DeveloperDocumentation>The BrazilParameters table containsparameters related to Brazilian localization features</DeveloperDocumentation>   <Shared>True</Shared>   <Fields>   <Field>   <Name>ChronologicalInvoiceNumbering</Name>    <Label>Enable fix issuedate</Label>    <Type>Enum</Type>    <HelpText>Enable setting fixedissue dates at fiscal    documents types</HelpText>   <IsRefRecId>False</IsRefRecId>   <CountryRegionCodes>BR</CountryRegionCodes>   </Field>   </Fields> </Table>   <DMFEntities>   <Table>   <Name>Customer</Name>  </Table>  </DMFEntities>  </RecordingInformation> <SyncID>DCEADEFC-6337-4E8B-86D1-6DCA9E214414</SyncID>  </Level></Framework> The class representation of this XML file is as below: public class Framework : JsonEntityBase  {  public string Id { get;set; }  public string Name { get; set; }  public string Version { get;set; }  public Guid SyncId { get; set; }  public Guid LeafId { get; set;}  public Node Level { get; set; }  }  public class Node :JsonEntityBase  {  public string Category { get; set; }  public stringName { get; set; }  public string Description { get; set; }  public boolHasRecording { get; set; }  public Guid SyncId { get; set; }  publicNode Level { get; set; }  public string AXApplicationVersion { get; set;}  public string IndustryCode { get; set; }  public string CountryCode {get; set; }  public Recording RecordingInformation { get; set; }  } public class Recording : JsonEntityBase  {  public stringAXApplicationVersion { get; set; }  public string IndustryCode { get;set; }  public List<Table> Tables;  public List<Table> DMFEntities;  } public class Table : JsonEntityBase  {  public string Name { get; set;}  public string Label { get; set; }  public stringDeveloperDocumentation { get; set; }  public string TableGroup { get;set; }  public string ConfigurationKey { get; set; }  public stringShared { get; set; }  public string CountryRegionCodes { get; set; } public List<Field> Fields { get; set; }  }  public class Field :JsonEntityBase  {  public string Name { get; set; }  public string Label{ get; set; }  public string HelpText { get; set; }  public string Type{ get; set; }  public string CountryRegionCodes { get; set; }  }

Once the representation 174 is sent to business system configurationtool 142, template and question generation model 144 is used to generateand output configuration templates, and a template hierarchy,corresponding to the selected business process. This is indicated byblock 182 in FIG. 3. Configuration templates are indicated at 184 inFIG. 2.

In one embodiment, the configuration templates include templates 186,subtemplates 188, functional areas 190, question groups 192 andquestions 194. The configuration templates can also classify or groupthe questions that are applicable to various regions, industries,versions of the business system that generated the business process,etc. This is indicated by block 196 in FIG. 3. The configurationtemplates can, of course, include other information as well, asindicated by block 198.

The XML in Table 1 automatically generates a template hierarchy whichshows a number of different things. First, it identifies the parent nodeof the business process which generated it. It also identifies thesubnode for which the configuration templates are generated, and allsub-templates and functional areas are based on a suitable heuristic. Alist of questions and question groups are also automatically generated.In one embodiment, template and question generation model 144 reducesthe number of questions to a minimal set and categorizes them for aneasy answering experience. That is, it illustratively reduces theredundancy in the question and groups questions together so that theuser can answer like questions in a group. This enhances the ability ofthe user to perform the process.

Once configuration templates 184 are generated, they can be provided touser 134 either directly, or through a user device such as user device132. In the case where they are provided directly, UI component 148generates user interface displays 154. However, where they are providedthrough user device 132, UI component 152 generates user input displays154. Displays 154 present the templates, subtemplates, question groupsand questions to user 134 so that user 134 can provide configurationinputs 250, through the templates, subtemplates, question groups andquestions. Receiving user inputs through the configuration templates 184is indicated by block 252 in the flow diagram of FIG. 3.

Table 2 below shows one illustrative description that template andquestion generation model 144 can use to automatically generateconfiguration templates 184. FIG. 3C shows one example of a mappingbetween the information 185 in Table 2 and the templates, functionalareas and question groups 187 that are generated by business systemconfiguration tool 142. It will be noted that the mapping in FIG. 3C isjust one embodiment. Other mappings can be used as well. For instance,the information can be mapped to a functional area, or business module,instead of just to a business process. Also, the information in Table 2and the map in FIG. 3 can be different. They can reflect any other typeof hierarchy, or even a flat structure.

TABLE 2 Level 1 - Category 1.0 Develop Vision and Strategy (10002)Represents the highest level of process in the enterprise, such asManage customer service, Supply chain, Financial organization, and Humanresources. Level 2 - Process Group 1.1 Define the business concept andlong- term vision (10014) Indicates the next level of processes andrepresents a group of processes. Perform after sales repairs,Procurement, Accounts payable, Recruit/source, and Develop salesstrategy are examples of process groups. Level 3 - Process 1.1.1Accesses the external environment (10017) A series of interrelatedactivities that converts inputs into results (outputs); processesconsume resources and require standards for repeatable performance; andprocesses respond to control systems that direct the quality, rate, andcost of performance. Level 4 - Activity 1.1.1.1 Analyze and evaluatecompetition (10021) Indicates key events performed when executing aprocess. Examples of activities include Receive customer requests,Resolve customer complaints, and Negotiate purchasing contracts. Level5 - Task 12.2.3.1.1 Identify project requirements and objectives (11117)Tasks represent the next level of hierarchical decomposition afteractivities. Tasks are generally much more fine grained and may varywidely across industries. Examples include: Create business case andobtain funding and Design recognition and reward approaches.

FIG. 3D is one embodiment of a high level view of template and questiongeneration model 144.

FIG. 3E shows one embodiment of a set of templates 184 that can begenerated. The set of templates are listed in a flat view in templatepane 300. When the user selects a template from template pane 300, thetemplate hierarchy 302 for the selected template is displayed. Inaddition, generation display 304 shows some items of detail regardingthe generation of the template hierarchy 302, by business systemconfiguration tool 142.

FIG. 3F shows a user interface display 306 that allows the user toselect one of the templates in order to configure a business process ormodule corresponding to the template. The user can enter projectinformation generally at 308, such as the project name, the method ofconfiguration, the release version, the industry, the country or region,etc. The user can then select a template from template pane 310. Theselected template, subtemplate and functional areas are then displayedin detail pane 312. The user can select one of the functional areas toreview a set of questions or question groups that were automaticallygenerated for that functional area.

User 134 can then provide configuration inputs 250 (shown in FIG. 2)through those questions in order to configure the business process.

FIGS. 3G-3I are illustrative user interface displays that show differentquestion types, based upon the different metadata in the XML structurereceived from translator/synchronizer 140, at business systemconfiguration tool 142. For instance, FIG. 3G shows that business systemconfiguration tool 142 generates a table type question if the table tobe configured is not a parameter table (as indicated by the metadata inTable 1).

FIG. 3H shows that business system configuration tool 142 generates afield type question if a field belonging to a parameter table is to beconfigured. In addition, FIG. 3I shows that business systemconfiguration tool 142 generates a data import/export framework (DIEF)type question if a DIEF entity is to be configured.

It will be noted that there can be many other question types as well.For instance, the question types can include relations, abstract types,etc.

It should be noted that a large percent of parameters may be duplicatedacross different functional areas in a category. Therefore, in oneembodiment, a functional area is created with a name referred to as“Parameters: Name of the category”. This functional area contains allthe parameters that are to be configured for the category. This avoidsduplication and redundancy to expedite the process.

The questions and question groups, along with templates, subtemplatesand functional areas are displayed for user 134 on UI displays 154. Theuser 134 provides configuration inputs 250 through the templates. Thisconfiguration information is then applied against an implementation of abusiness system to obtain a configured, working business system instancewith the same functionality as the source business process. This isindicated by block 350 in FIG. 3.

It can thus be seen that configuration architecture 130 provides anautomated way of creating configuration templates 184 and questionsbased on an input which represents a business process.Translator/synchronizer 140 automatically links business process modeler138 to business system configuration tool 142 by providing therepresentation 174 of the business process being configured, in a formthat is acceptable to business system configuration tool 142. Therepresentation 174 can be an XML input file (or another file or it canbe distributed in a database management system that the configurationarchitecture has access to) that contains the configuration objectswhich are needed to configure the source business process. It includesdetails about tables, fields which require values, regions for which theconfiguration is applicable and definition of a template hierarchy.While business process modeler 138 and business system configurationtool 142 are two separate tools, they are linked together, orintegrated, in a way that allows the user to choose a service instanceof tool 142 to which the representation 174 is to be sent. Tool 142 usesmetadata from representation 174 to automatically generate the completeconfiguration templates, including templates, subtemplates, questiongroups and questions. The templates can be classified for region,industry and applicable business system version. These steps can berepeated multiple times so that additional components (or businessprocesses) can be configured as easily as the first ones, or updates canbe made easily as well.

In addition, configuration tool 142 can be used to configure otherthings as well, and not just business processes. For instance, input 174to tool 142 can include information that describes system settings frombusiness system 100. Tool 142 can be used to configure system settingsin the new business system instance using this same template-basedapproach.

The configuration tool 142 can be used in different environments aswell. For instance, instead of business process modeler 138, a moreabstract scenario modeler can be used to model a system at a higherabstraction level than a business process (such as at a factory level).As an example, all roles and their corresponding activities can bemodeled, mapped, and synchronized to tool 142. Tool 142 can then be usedto generate configuration templates for the modeled system. Thosetemplates can then be used to configure an autonomous system with thesame behavior as the modeled system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of architecture 130, shown in FIG. 2, exceptthat its elements are disposed in a cloud computing architecture 500.Cloud computing provides computation, software, data access, and storageservices that do not require end-user knowledge of the physical locationor configuration of the system that delivers the services. In variousembodiments, cloud computing delivers the services over a wide areanetwork, such as the internet, using appropriate protocols. Forinstance, cloud computing providers deliver applications over a widearea network and they can be accessed through a web browser or any othercomputing component. Software or components of architecture 130 as wellas the corresponding data, can be stored on servers at a remotelocation. The computing resources in a cloud computing environment canbe consolidated at a remote data center location or they can bedispersed. Cloud computing infrastructures can deliver services throughshared data centers, even though they appear as a single point of accessfor the user. Thus, the components and functions described herein can beprovided from a service provider at a remote location using a cloudcomputing architecture. Alternatively, they can be provided from aconventional server, or they can be installed on client devicesdirectly, or in other ways.

The description is intended to include both public cloud computing andprivate cloud computing. Cloud computing (both public and private)provides substantially seamless pooling of resources, as well as areduced need to manage and configure underlying hardware infrastructure.

A public cloud is managed by a vendor and typically supports multipleconsumers using the same infrastructure. Also, a public cloud, asopposed to a private cloud, can free up the end users from managing thehardware. A private cloud may be managed by the organization itself andthe infrastructure is typically not shared with other organizations. Theorganization still maintains the hardware to some extent, such asinstallations and repairs, etc.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, some items are similar to those shownin FIG. 2 and they are similarly numbered. FIG. 4 specifically showsthat architecture 130 is located in cloud 502 (which can be public,private, or a combination where portions are public while others areprivate). Therefore, user 134 uses a user device 132 to access thosesystems through cloud 502.

FIG. 4 also depicts another embodiment of a cloud architecture. FIG. 4shows that it is also contemplated that some elements of architecture130 are disposed in cloud 502 while others are not. By way of example,data store 104 (which can be part of architecture 130) can be disposedoutside of cloud 502, and accessed through cloud 502. In anotherembodiment, business system configuration tool 142 is also outside ofcloud 502. Regardless of where they are located, they can be accesseddirectly by device 132, through a network (either a wide area network ora local area network), they can be hosted at a remote site by a service,or they can be provided as a service through a cloud or accessed by aconnection service that resides in the cloud. All of these architecturesare contemplated herein.

In addition, the representation 174 used as input to configuration tool142 can be obtained from an on-premise system or a cloud-based system.The configuration templates 184 can then be used to generate output 158which can be imported into another cloud-based or on-premise system.Alternatively, the configuration templates 184 can be exported fromarchitecture 130 and imported into another system (cloud-based oron-premise) where they are used for configuration.

It will also be noted that architecture 130, or portions of it, can bedisposed on a wide variety of different devices. Some of those devicesinclude servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers,or other mobile devices, such as palm top computers, cell phones, smartphones, multimedia players, personal digital assistants, etc.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of one illustrative embodiment of ahandheld or mobile computing device that can be used as a user's orclient's hand held device 16, in which the present system (or parts ofit) can be deployed. FIGS. 6-10 are examples of handheld or mobiledevices.

FIG. 5 provides a general block diagram of the components of a clientdevice 16 that can run components of architecture 130 or system 100 orthat interacts with architecture 130, or both. In the device 16, acommunications link 13 is provided that allows the handheld device tocommunicate with other computing devices and under some embodimentsprovides a channel for receiving information automatically, such as byscanning Examples of communications link 13 include an infrared port, aserial/USB port, a cable network port such as an Ethernet port, and awireless network port allowing communication though one or morecommunication protocols including General Packet Radio Service (GPRS),LTE, HSPA, HSPA+ and other 3G and 4G radio protocols, 1Xrtt, and ShortMessage Service, which are wireless services used to provide cellularaccess to a network, as well as 802.11 and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) protocols,and Bluetooth protocol, which provide local wireless connections tonetworks.

Under other embodiments, applications or systems are received on aremovable Secure Digital (SD) card that is connected to a SD cardinterface 15. SD card interface 15 and communication links 13communicate with a processor 17 (which can also embody processors 146 or150 from FIG. 2) along a bus 19 that is also connected to memory 21 andinput/output (I/O) components 23, as well as clock 25 and locationsystem 27.

I/O components 23, in one embodiment, are provided to facilitate inputand output operations. I/O components 23 for various embodiments of thedevice 16 can include input components such as buttons, touch sensors,multi-touch sensors, optical or video sensors, voice sensors, touchscreens, proximity sensors, microphones, tilt sensors, and gravityswitches and output components such as a display device, a speaker, andor a printer port. Other I/O components 23 can be used as well.

Clock 25 illustratively comprises a real time clock component thatoutputs a time and date. It can also, illustratively, provide timingfunctions for processor 17.

Location system 27 illustratively includes a component that outputs acurrent geographical location of device 16. This can include, forinstance, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a LORAN system, adead reckoning system, a cellular triangulation system, or otherpositioning system. It can also include, for example, mapping softwareor navigation software that generates desired maps, navigation routesand other geographic functions.

Memory 21 stores operating system 29, network settings 31, applications33, application configuration settings 35, data store 37, communicationdrivers 39, and communication configuration settings 41. Memory 21 caninclude all types of tangible volatile and non-volatilecomputer-readable memory devices. It can also include computer storagemedia (described below). Memory 21 stores computer readable instructionsthat, when executed by processor 17, cause the processor to performcomputer-implemented steps or functions according to the instructions.Similarly, device 16 can have a client business system 24 which can runvarious business applications or embody parts or all of business system100 or architecture 130. Processor 17 can be activated by othercomponents to facilitate their functionality as well.

Examples of the network settings 31 include things such as proxyinformation, Internet connection information, and mappings. Applicationconfiguration settings 35 include settings that tailor the applicationfor a specific enterprise or user. Communication configuration settings41 provide parameters for communicating with other computers and includeitems such as GPRS parameters, SMS parameters, connection user names andpasswords.

Applications 33 can be applications that have previously been stored onthe device 16 or applications that are installed during use, althoughthese can be part of operating system 29, or hosted external to device16, as well.

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment in which device 16 is a tablet computer 600.In FIG. 6, computer 600 is shown with user interface display from FIG.3F displayed on the display screen 602. Screen 602 can be a touch screen(so touch gestures from a user's finger 604 can be used to interact withthe application) or a pen-enabled interface that receives inputs from apen or stylus. It can also use an on-screen virtual keyboard. Of course,it might also be attached to a keyboard or other user input devicethrough a suitable attachment mechanism, such as a wireless link or USBport, for instance. Computer 600 can also illustratively receive voiceinputs as well.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide additional examples of devices 16 that can beused, although others can be used as well. In FIG. 7, a feature phone,smart phone or mobile phone 45 is provided as the device 16. Phone 45includes a set of keypads 47 for dialing phone numbers, a display 49capable of displaying images including application images, icons, webpages, photographs, and video, and control buttons 51 for selectingitems shown on the display. The phone includes an antenna 53 forreceiving cellular phone signals such as General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) and 1Xrtt, and Short Message Service (SMS) signals. In someembodiments, phone 45 also includes a Secure Digital (SD) card slot 55that accepts a SD card 57.

The mobile device of FIG. 8 is a personal digital assistant (PDA) 59 ora multimedia player or a tablet computing device, etc. (hereinafterreferred to as PDA 59). PDA 59 includes an inductive screen 61 thatsenses the position of a stylus 63 (or other pointers, such as a user'sfinger) when the stylus is positioned over the screen. This allows theuser to select, highlight, and move items on the screen as well as drawand write. PDA 59 also includes a number of user input keys or buttons(such as button 65) which allow the user to scroll through menu optionsor other display options which are displayed on display 61, and allowthe user to change applications or select user input functions, withoutcontacting display 61. Although not shown, PDA 59 can include aninternal antenna and an infrared transmitter/receiver that allow forwireless communication with other computers as well as connection portsthat allow for hardware connections to other computing devices. Suchhardware connections are typically made through a cradle that connectsto the other computer through a serial or USB port. As such, theseconnections are non-network connections. In one embodiment, mobiledevice 59 also includes a SD card slot 67 that accepts a SD card 69.

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 7 except that the phone is a smart phone 71.Smart phone 71 has a touch sensitive display 73 that displays icons ortiles or other user input mechanisms 75. Mechanisms 75 can be used by auser to run applications, make calls, perform data transfer operations,etc. In general, smart phone 71 is built on a mobile operating systemand offers more advanced computing capability and connectivity than afeature phone. FIG. 10 shows smart phone 71 with the display of FIG. 3Gdisplayed on it.

Note that other forms of the devices 16 are possible.

FIG. 11 is one embodiment of a computing environment in whicharchitecture 130, or system 100, or parts of it, (for example) can bedeployed. With reference to FIG. 11, an exemplary system forimplementing some embodiments includes a general-purpose computingdevice in the form of a computer 810. Components of computer 810 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a processing unit 820 (which cancomprise processor 102, 146 or 150), a system memory 830, and a systembus 821 that couples various system components including the systemmemory to the processing unit 820. The system bus 821 may be any ofseveral types of bus structures including a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofbus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, sucharchitectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, MicroChannel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) bus also known as Mezzanine bus. Memory andprograms described with respect to FIG. 2 can be deployed incorresponding portions of FIG. 11.

Computer 810 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 810 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media is different from, anddoes not include, a modulated data signal or carrier wave. It includeshardware storage media including both volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by computer 810. Communication media typically embodiescomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data in a transport mechanism and includes any informationdelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 830 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 831and random access memory (RAM) 832. A basic input/output system 833(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 810, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 831. RAM 832 typically contains data and/orprogram modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presentlybeing operated on by processing unit 820. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 11 illustrates operating system 834, applicationprograms 835, other program modules 836, and program data 837.

The computer 810 may also include other removable/non-removablevolatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 11 illustrates a hard disk drive 841 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 851that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 852,and an optical disk drive 855 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 856 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 841 is typically connectedto the system bus 821 through a non-removable memory interface such asinterface 840, and magnetic disk drive 851 and optical disk drive 855are typically connected to the system bus 821 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 850.

Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can beperformed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components.For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardwarelogic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-specificStandard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), ComplexProgrammable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 11, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 810. In FIG. 11, for example, hard disk drive 841 isillustrated as storing operating system 844, application programs 845,other program modules 846, and program data 847. Note that thesecomponents can either be the same as or different from operating system834, application programs 835, other program modules 836, and programdata 837. Operating system 844, application programs 845, other programmodules 846, and program data 847 are given different numbers here toillustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 810 throughinput devices such as a keyboard 862, a microphone 863, and a pointingdevice 861, such as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices(not shown) may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to theprocessing unit 820 through a user input interface 860 that is coupledto the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and busstructures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus(USB). A visual display 891 or other type of display device is alsoconnected to the system bus 821 via an interface, such as a videointerface 890. In addition to the monitor, computers may also includeother peripheral output devices such as speakers 897 and printer 896,which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 895.

The computer 810 is operated in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer880. The remote computer 880 may be a personal computer, a hand-helddevice, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other commonnetwork node, and typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed above relative to the computer 810. The logical connectionsdepicted in FIG. 11 include a local area network (LAN) 871 and a widearea network (WAN) 873, but may also include other networks. Suchnetworking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 810 is connectedto the LAN 871 through a network interface or adapter 870. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 810 typically includes amodem 872 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN873, such as the Internet. The modem 872, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 821 via the user inputinterface 860, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 810, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 11 illustrates remoteapplication programs 885 as residing on remote computer 880. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

It should also be noted that the different embodiments described hereincan be combined in different ways. That is, parts of one or moreembodiments can be combined with parts of one or more other embodiments.All of this is contemplated herein.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:obtaining, by a computing process modeler, a representation of a sourcecomputing process, wherein the representation models activities in thesource computing process that perform computing process functionality;generating, by the computing process modeler, a representation of a userinterface display comprising a selection user input mechanism for userselection of a configuration tool instance; receiving an indication ofuser actuation of the selection user input mechanism, identifying aconfiguration tool instance that is to be used; based on the identifiedconfiguration tool instance, translating the representation of thesource computing process to a translated representation, wherein thetranslated representation conforms to a format of the identifiedconfiguration tool instance and represents the modeled activities in thesource computing process; using the identified configuration toolinterface to generate a configuration template from the translatedrepresentation, wherein the configuration template is generated based onthe modeled activities in the source computing process and comprises auser configuration input mechanism that receives an indication of a userconfiguration input; and based on the indication of the userconfiguration input, configuring a computing system instance for runtimeoperation, the configured computing system instance having the computingprocess functionality.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1wherein the configuration template is generated to include a series ofprompts that are presented to a user to define the configuration of thecomputing system instance, the series of prompts pertaining to thecomputing process functionality.
 3. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 2 wherein obtaining a representation of the source computingprocess comprises: obtaining a first representation of the sourcecomputing process at the computing process modeler, and whereinreceiving an indication of user actuation comprises: receiving anindication of a user synchronization input at the computing processmodeler to send the representation of the source computing process tothe identified configuration tool instance.
 4. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 2 and further comprising: receiving the indication ofthe user configuration input to obtain a configured configurationtemplate; and applying the configured configuration template to thecomputing system instance to obtain the configured computing systeminstance that has the computing process functionality of the sourcecomputing process.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 whereingenerating a representation of a user interface display comprises:generating a representation of a list of user actuatable inputmechanisms, each corresponding to a different configuration toolinstance; receiving an indication of user actuation of a particular oneof the user actuatable input mechanisms; and selecting the configurationtool instance corresponding to the particular user actuatable inputmechanism as the identified configuration tool instance.
 6. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein generating aconfiguration template comprises: receiving the translatedrepresentation at the configuration tool instance corresponding to theparticular user actuatable input mechanism actuated by the user.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 6 wherein generating aconfiguration template comprises: generating a set of templates andsub-templates with the identified configuration tool instance based onthe translated representation.
 8. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 7 wherein the configuration tool instance comprises an instance ofa question-based system configuration tool, and wherein generating aconfiguration template comprises: generating a question that is answeredby the user configuration input.
 9. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 8 wherein generating a question comprises: generating a set ofquestion in question groups, each group comprising questions that arerelated by subject matter.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim9 wherein translating comprises: translating the recorded representationof the source computing process into a representation having a schemaexpected by the configuration tool instance.
 11. An electronicconfiguration system, comprising: at least one processor; and memorystoring instructions executable by the at least one processor, whereinthe instructions configure the electronic configuration system toprovide a computing process modeler and a system configuration tool;wherein the computing process modeler is configured to: provide arepresentation of a computing process, wherein the representation modelsactivities in the computing process that perform process functionality;generate a representation of a selection user input mechanism that isactuated to identify a configuration tool instance; and translate therepresentation of the computing process into a translated representationof the computing process based on the identified configuration toolinstance, wherein the translated representation conforms to a format ofthe identified configuration tool instance and represents the modeledactivities in the computing process; and wherein the systemconfiguration tool is configured to: receive the translatedrepresentation of the computing process; based on the translatedrepresentation, generate a configuration template, wherein theconfiguration template is generated based on the modeled activities inthe computing process and comprises a user input mechanism that receivesan indication of a user configuration input; and based on the indicationof the user configuration input, generate a configured computing systeminstance for runtime operation that has the computing processfunctionality.
 12. The electronic configuration system of claim 11wherein the configuration template is generated to include a series ofprompts that are presented to a user to define the configuration of thecomputing system instance, the series of prompts pertaining to thecomputing process functionality.
 13. The electronic configuration systemof claim 11 wherein the computing process modeler comprises: atranslation component configured to receive a first representation ofthe computing process and translate the first representation into asecond representation of the computing process according to a schemathat is expected by the system configuration tool.
 14. The electronicconfiguration system of claim 13 wherein the computing process modelermodels the computing process as the first representation of thecomputing process.
 15. The electronic configuration system of claim 11wherein the system configuration tool is configured to generate theconfiguration template as a hierarchical set of templates,sub-templates, question groups and questions, each having the user inputmechanism to receive the user configuration input.
 16. A computingsystem comprising: a processor; and memory storing instructionsexecutable by the processor, wherein the instructions configure thecomputing system to: obtain a first representation of a source computingprocess, the first representation modeling activities in the sourcecomputing process that perform computing process functionality; generatea representation of a configuration instance selection user interfacedisplay with a selection user input mechanism; receive an indication ofuser actuation of the selection user input mechanism; based on theindication of user actuation of the selection user input mechanism,identify a configuration tool instance; slating-based on the identifiedconfiguration tool instance, translate the first representation of thesource computing process to a second representation, wherein the secondrepresentation conforms to a format of the identified configuration toolinstance and represents the modeled activities in the source computingprocess; use the identified configuration tool instance to generate aconfiguration template, from the second representation, wherein theconfiguration template is generated based on the modeled activities inthe source computing process and comprises a user configuration inputmechanism that receives an indication of a user configuration input; andbased on the indication of the user configuration input, configure acomputing system instance for runtime operation, the configuredcomputing system instance having the computing process functionality.17. The computing system of claim 16, wherein the instructions configurethe computing system to: receive a user synchronization input to sendthe second representation of the source computing process to theidentified configuration tool instance.
 18. The computing system ofclaim 17 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to:generate the configuration template as a hierarchical set of templates,sub-templates, question groups and questions, each having the user inputmechanism to receive the user configuration input.
 19. The computingsystem of claim 17 wherein the instructions configure the computingsystem to: translate the first representation into the secondrepresentation that has the format that is expected by the identifiedconfiguration tool instance.
 20. The computing system of claim 16wherein the configuration template is generated to include a series ofprompts that are presented to a user to define the configuration of thecomputing system instance, the series of prompts pertaining to thecomputing process functionality.